For years I’ve seen white-label copies of the King’s Court record with only stamped titles and the words “Test Pressing”. Until recently I assumed they were bootlegs. I’ve since read they are originals, pressed at the same time as the standard green label copies. There even exist some copies with blank white labels.
I don’t have a green label 45 to compare, but I’ll list the deadwax info from my stamped copy: both sides of the dead wax have the Nashville Matrix stamp, and “95” etched into the vinyl. “Don’t Put Me On” has “WH 3613-A” etched into the dead wax, along with a separate etching of “WH 6̶3̶1̶3̶A̶” (partially crossed out). The flip has the Nashville Matrix stamp, the “95” and “WH-3613-B”. The 95 is code for the Archer Record Pressing in Detroit.
“Don’t Put Me On” has the band playing a steady groove behind a repetitive, buzzing guitar figure. The opening line is “Girl you better not cheat on me” and the lyrics alternate between warning the girl and pleading with her. “Don’t Put Me On” is an original by Holowicki, Suba and Grihorash and published through Jamaica Pub, BMI. The flip is a cover of “Midnight Hour” that’s better than most versions I’ve heard.
Members of the King’s Court were:
John Holowicki – lead vocals
Aaron Dytiniak – lead guitar
Craig Suba – rhythm guitar
Brian Cramer – keyboards
Mike Grihorash – bass
Bill Barent – drums
Anyone have a photo of the band?
Bill Barent, drummer for the band wrote:
Craig Suba one of the guitar players was installing drapes at our house and heard me playing the drums down the basement. When I came up he asked me if I would be interested in playing in a band. That’s how it all started. The recording studio was in a basement in Dearborn it was a great experience. Grew up in Dearborn Heights, Michigan that’s where all the members of the group lived.
After the Kings Court I played in 10 piece Soul Band called Dan Riley and the Soul Review. I played in the U. S. Army, we put a group together and won 1st Army Entertainment Contest. Later on after I was married I just did weddings and some club work.
The Wheels 4 Records label had a tag, “The Dearborn Sound”, but since that city is just west of Detroit the Kings Court and other bands on the label could have come from anywhere in the area. The records I’ve seen list Bryan Dombrowski as engineer, and I’ve also read he owned the label, though I see Jim Walters is credited as producer on several Wheels 4 sides.
Some of the better Wheels 4 releases include:
3609 – House of Commons “Til Tomorrow” (Tony Franciosi) / “Love Is a Funny Thing”
3611 – Innsmen “I Don’t Know” (Vince Goldsmith) / “Things Are Different Now”
3619 – Hearsemen “I Get That Feeling” / “Christianne” (both by Chris Brent)
There was a three CD set of Wheels 4 recordings, including many unreleased sides, issued in 1994.
hi !, this is kinda sick, I live in the los angeles area, and back in 2006, I found about 22 copies of the kings court 45, at first I thought they were boots, but they were real !!!!!, probaably one of my best finds of the last decade, yeaaahhhhhh .
I was in this band when I was 16 (1966)….The members included lead singer John Holowicki…lead guitar Aaron Dytiniak…rhythm guitar Craig Suba…bass guitar Mike Grihorash…me, Brian Cramer on keyboards…and OMG I can’t remember the drummer that did the recording with us because we used 3 in three years and changed other members in 1969. We also played the musical accompianment on a very short “tour” (2 shows) with the vocal group The Shades of Blue..”Oh, How Happy”, and one show for Andy Kim. After overhauling the band in ’69 with a new bassist Paul Knapp…new Lead guitar Tom Cuipak…and new drummer Doug Bima, we still did mostly covers but graduated to more complicated music by The Doors, Vanilla Fudge, The Who, etc. We spent one year playing every weekend at teen clubs like The Mump, The Pumpkin, The Serendipity, The Hullabaloo opening for acts like the MC5, Rationals, The Bouys, etc for the host Robin Seymour of the CKLW Windsor TV dance party “Swingin” Time”.
Hi Brian I was the drummer for the recording and also the gigs with the Shades Of Blue. Hope all is well, the Good Old Days…
Hi my name is Christine Grihorash.
Mike Grihorash is my dad and just wanted to say how good I thought you guys were when I listen to some of your music!
Hope all is well!
I remember your dad, I went to school with your uncle Tom. Your Grandmother and Grandfather were always so nice to me. I loved their pool during the summer and your great grandmothers perogi’s. I have a lot great stories, contact me, happy new year, “Rocky”
My dad William (Bill) Barent was in this band he was the drummer.
HI, I am Tennille Grihorash. .Mike is my dad..I see my sister found you guys but was looking for your music on youtube or anything. .miss it posted anywhere?
They also played the grand opening of the Westland mall
I have a photo
Got your phone message, Bill. Call me after 7pm at 734-283-9747. It’s The Stray Cat Bar & Grille that I own with my wife. It’s been a long time! (50 year reunion?) Brian.
My dad is John Holowicki! This is so cool! I have a pic of the band! I saw someone asked earlier. It is of the band members sitting in the roof of my grandpas garage. It’s a black and white pic and has a candelabra in the photo. My dad is sitting on the edge of the garage with one leg hanging off. I’ll get it if someone can tell me how to post it!
i’m a guitar player who played for the “Innsmen” in the 60s. We wrote and performed “Things are different now” and “I don’t know.” Is there any interest out there in our “story”?
Absolutely. Please contact Chris and share your story.
Yes sir David! We def want to hear more about your band and songs like “Things Are Different Now” — Scott M. in Texas